My Name No Longer Owns Me

At least here, on Medium

This is a big day for Medium. Another writer has joined its army of writers. Another brain has connected to the hive, ready to share thoughts, ideas, and emotions. Another eloquent voice has emerged. Another —

All right, enough of that. This is a typical day for Medium (whatever typical means in these crazy times). And the hive hasn’t even noticed the appearance of another connected brain. As for eloquence… nah. But it is a big day for me. Sort of. Because today I’m doing what I should have done long ago.

But first things first. My name is… see that’s the thing. My name is irrelevant. For a long time, it was my name that my readers saw first. Decorating the covers of my books. Preceding my business plans. Signed at the bottom of agreements. Over the years it has taken over everything I touch. What started as a convenient label to distinguish me from others has turned some decades later into an independent entity. To which I am somehow attached.

Moreover, it has become more of public property than it is mine. I don’t use it that much. Others do it all the time. And they don’t even bother asking me whether it’s okay to use it! In fact, even if anyone had ever wanted to ask me, they would start by using my name — again without my permission. But this doesn’t end with unauthorized use. Things get worse. Much worse actually.

At any time, anyone can say or write or publish anything about me. Whether positive or not, private or not, truthful or not, anyone can take my name, string some words to it and let the rest of the world read or hear the result. And the only thing that enables them to do that is… you guessed it. My name. Just try gossiping about someone without using their name. See what I mean?

And if I get tired of that nonsense and want to change my name, how do I do that? By going to authorities and asking for permission to do so. And if that permission is granted, filling out mountains of paperwork. And if I choose to jump through all these hoops, and get a new shiny name, do you think my old one would ever go away? It will be still recorded in the paper trail I’ve left behind and could be still used by anyone.

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